Nalanda University (also known as Nalanda International University) is located in Rajgir, near Nalanda, Bihar, India. The University began its first academic session on September 1, 2014 with 15 students including five women. Initially set up with temporary facilities in Rajgir, a modern campus is expected to be finished by 2020.

On 28 March 2006 the 11th President of IndiaA. P. J. Abdul Kalam proposed the idea while addressing the Joint Session of the Bihar Vidhan Mandal for revival of Nalanda university. The Nalanda University Bill, 2010[1] was passed on 21 August 2010 in Rajya Sabha and 26 August 2010 in Lok Sabha. The bill received Presidential assent on 21 September 2010[2] thereby becoming an Act. The University came into existence on 25 November 2010, when the Act was implemented.

Japan promised to finance the construction. Singapore may pay for the library, costing US$5m.[3] Gopa Sabharwal has been appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of this university in February 2011.

It has been estimated that US$500m will be required to build the new facility, with a further US$500m needed to sufficiently improve the surrounding infrastructure. The group is looking for donations from governments, private individuals and religious groups.[4]

The State Government of Bihar handed over 443 acres (179 ha) of land acquired from local people, to the University, where construction work has not begun.[when?] It is a dream project of the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar.[5]

For best architectural design, a global competition was held for construction of an international state-of-the-art institution.[6][7] Vastu Shilpa Consultants have been selected as the winner of the design competition with dbHMS providing the triple net-zero energy, water and waste strategic plan.[8]

The academic session of the University started on 1 September 2014 with 15 students in the School of Historical Sciences and the School of Environment and Ecology. A hotel operated by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation in Rajgir would provide initial hostel accommodation.[9]

In 2007, the Government of India constituted a Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) under the Chairmanship of Professor Amartya Sen to examine the framework of international co-operation, and proposed structure of partnership, which would govern the establishment of this University as an international centre of education. The University of Nalanda is proposed to be established under the aegis of the East Asia Summit (EAS), as a regional initiative. The NMG also has representatives from Singapore, China, Japan and Thailand.

Later the 'NMG' was renamed the Governing Board of Nalanda University.[10]

As of July 2015[update], the Governing Board of Nalanda University[10] consists of:

On 9 December 2006, the New York Times detailed a plan to spend $1 billion to revive Nalanda University near the ancient site. A consortium led by Singapore and including China, India, Japan and other nations will attempt to raise $500 million to build a new university and another $500 million to develop necessary infrastructure.[14] The holy relic of Xuanzang, consisting of the skull bone in a crystal casket, was to be moved from Patna Museum to Xuanzang Memorial Hall at Nalanda in a bulletproof case either in January-end or early February 2007.[15]

On 28 May 2007, Merinews reported that the revived university's enrolment will be 1,137 in its first year, and 4,530 by the fifth. In the second phase, enrolment will reach 5,812.[16]

On 12 June 2007, News Post India reported that the Japanese diplomat Noro Motoyasu said that "Japan will fund the setting up an international university in Nalanda in Bihar." The report goes on to say that "The proposed university will be fully residential, like the ancient seat of learning at Nalanda. In the first phase of the project, seven schools with 46 foreign faculty members and over 400 Indian academics would come up." ... "The university will impart courses in science, philosophy and spiritualism along with other subjects. A renowned international scholar will be its chancellor."[17][18]

On 5 May 2008, NDTV reported that, according to Nobel LaureateAmartya Sen, the foundation of the university would likely be in the year 2009 and the first teaching class could begin in a few years from then. Sen, who heads the Nalanda Mentor Group, said the final report, in this regard, is expected to be presented to the East Asia Summit in December 2008.

On 11 May 2008, The Times of India reported that the host nation India and a consortium of East Asian countries met in New York to further discuss Nalanda plans. It was decided that Nalanda would largely be a post-graduate research university, with the following schools: Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, and Comparative Religion; Historical Studies; International Relations and Peace; Business Management and Development; Languages and Literature; and Ecology and Environmental Studies. The objective of the university was claimed to be "aimed at advancing the concept of an Asian community...and rediscovering old relationships."[23]

On 16 December 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao contributed US$1 million for the Nalanda University during his visit to India.[24]

In May 2011, George Yeo confirmed his support of the project to Nitish Kumar.[25] During May, Nitish Kumar also met SM Krishna to receive reassurance that the Central Government would allocate sufficient funds to the project.[26]

On 7 July 2011, iNewsOne reported that a global competition will be held to get the best architectural design for the Nalanda International University at the ancient seat of learning in Bihar, officials said. "For the sake of the best design for Nalanda university, a global competition will be held soon", said N.K. Singh, a member of the Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) headed by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.[27]

On 16 September 2011, Zee News reported that former president APJ Abdul Kalam has dissociated himself from the upcoming Nalanda International University in Bihar.[21][28][29]

On 15 Nov 2011 the Economic Times announced that China's ambassador to India, Zhang Yan had handed over a cheque of USD 1 million for the building of a Chinese-type library.[30]

On 1 May 2012, Zee News announced that architecture students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) had drawn up a master plan for the revival of the ancient Nalanda University. They wished to present this draft plan to the Nalanda University directors later this year and participate in the final competition for the Nalanda campus master plan, according to Ng Si Jia, the group leader of the architecture students from NUS.[31]

Times of India reported that the work for the construction of the University would begin by December 2013.[32] It would be a "Net Zero" campus and will use green technologies like DEVAP. Vastu Shilpa Consultants of Ahmedabad won the Architecture Design Contest for the university and will build the campus.

In May 2014, Times of India reported that Nalanda University will start classes from September 2014.[33]

2 September 2014, The Telegraph reported on the first batch of students to study at the university.[34]

On February 19, 2015 Amartya Sen wrote an open letter to the Governing Board expressing regret that he had to leave the post of chancellor by June 2015 due to the Central Government's deliberate inaction over his term renewal decision. He lamented political interference in academic matters.[35][36]

On 6 July 2015, George Yeo, former Minister of Singapore took charge as the new Chancellor of Nalanda University.[11]

On 25 November, George Yeo resigned as the chancellor of Nalanda University accusing the Indian government of failing to maintain the university’s autonomy. This came following the sudden replacement of the governing board with a new one ending the long-standing associations of eminent persons like Amartya Sen with the university.[37][38]